Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-04-25
Boy Workers and How They Rise.

The last census placed the population
of New York at 1920, 900, and statistics
tell us that fully 700 900 of the number
are children. By further subdivision we
reach the startling fact that the number
of New York boys who earn their own
living. or contribute to it, is full 10000.
These working boys may be divided in
to two classes-those with homes and
those without. The first comprise about
SO 900. for there are fully 1000 who, hav-
| ing no parents or being driven from home
by cruelty or neglect or bad conduct,
have no abiding place except the lodging
houses established for their benefit or such
holes and corners as they may find.
The lite of working boy usually be-
gins between the ages of II and IA,
though the street boys often begin at an
earlier age.
A well-known stock broker once told
the writer that he and boy neighbor lett
school at the same time to begin the real
struggle of lite. I'VE came down town."
said he, "on horse car to the City Hall
and looked for an opening. AS my COM
panion was the younger we had agreed
that he should make the first effort Pass
ing down Nassau street, we noticed
placard in a stationary store window an
nouncing the want of a boy. Tom went
in only to find that another boy had just
secured the position. AS he turned, with
a disappointed face, to leave the store
customer asked him q few questions and
engaged him on condition that his refer
ences proved satisfactory. The gentle
man was lawyer, with an office near
by, and as they came out | learned how
fortunate Tom had been. suppose
there was a bit of envy in my face, for the
LAWYER asked if | was also looking tor
employment. and being answered in the
affirmative he told me of stock broker
who wanted bright, active boy. Well,
Tom and both got places that day He
went on his line, on mine, and in time
| he studied law, was admitted to the bar
and became leading politician, finally
going to Congress. | remained in the
Street, learned the mysteries of puts and
calls and all the rest of the ways of Wall
street, and as you see am now a broker
myself and this morning engaged another
office boy, his predecessor having risen to
the dignity of clerk, as l did once my
self"
This is the history of many man who
is now prosperous and respected.
OF course great deal depends upon
the character of the boy whether he sue
ceeds or not. If he is intelligent, active,
good tempered and really industrious,
that boys future is assured, for, young as
he is, his employer soon learns that he
may be trusted, and as he grows older he
is promoted or a letter opening is found
for him.
A boy once walked into the Office of
John Roach and asked for employment.
The famous ship builder, though once a
poor boy himself, was so busy with some
important estimates that he gave the APP
plicant rather an abrupt and negative
answer. The boy had met with several
similar answers that day. yet he was not
discouraged. On the walls of the office
were hung drawings of ships and steamers,
and almost on level with his own head
was the section plan of an ocean steamer.
Boylike, he examined these drawings with
interest, and. there happening to be a
piece of paper on the table, he fell to
copying the sectional drawing. While
thus employed Mr.. Roach, supposing him.
self to be alone, began calculating aloud.
"Let me see," said he; "that makes a
total of elghty-six tons of steel; now four
times eighty-six is"
Three hundred and forty-four," said